Cash for two good causes in Emsworth

Retail Business Manager Garry Farne at The Southern Co-operative in 'Emsworth (3rd from right) presents a �10,000 Community Support Card scheme 'donation to Patrick Laycock, Chair of Emsworth Baptist Church Trust (2nd 'from right) and �5,000 to George Turner, Director of Innovations Fitness (4 'th from right) SUS-140406-141438001

Published:10:00Saturday 14 June 2014

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A CASH boost for a community centre and fitness group was welcomed by residents of Emsworth.

s part of the Co-op’s community support card scheme, £15,000 has been donated to the local groups.

Of the total, £10,000 was given to Emsworth Baptist Church Trust, towards the construction of its new community building, with a further £5,000 donated to Fitbeat, which encourages people to get into sport.

Patrick Laycock, chairman of Emsworth Baptist Church Trust, said: “It comes just before work is due to start on our new community building in North Street.

“The support shown by the people of Emsworth with their use of the community support card at

“The Southern Co-operative store has been fantastic and a great boost to our funds as we commence our building work.

“We’d like to thank everyone who has used their card and look forward to sharing our new building with them.”

George Turner, of Fitbeat, said: “The money will enable us to continue to run Fitbeat each year, providing a vital platform for local clubs to showcase the amazing work they do in the community, helping children to find their love of sports.

“It is so important to promote grass-roots sports, games and fitness and we have so much going on in our brilliant community we need to shout about it more. With this £5,000, we will be able to do more to support the local clubs and create an even bigger and better day for the whole community to come down and enjoy.”

Retail business manager Garry Farne at the Southern Co-operative in Emsworth, said: “Emsworth is very community spirited so local support is really strong here, making this another great success for our CSC scheme.”

As the Co-op launches the community support cards scheme again for the next year, groups and good causes in Emsworth are invited to apply for a share of the fundraising pot.